The hotel, which returned to private ownership last December when it was purchased by the Chaplin family, who also own The Gonville in Cambridge, embarked on a buy local policy in the New Year, inspired by Operations Manager, Dan Hawkie.

The entire restaurant menu is now sourced from local suppliers including Tavern Tasty Meats North Walsham, Barsby Produce King’s Lynn and Howard’s fishmonger in Norwich. Wine from Winbirri Vineyard in the Norfolk Broads features, along with the signature Maids Head Ale brewed by Woodfordes at Woodbastwick, also in the Norfolk Broads. The kitchen brigade is led by Polish Head Chef Marcin Pomierny (28), with Sous Chef David Lovett (25).

Christine Malcolm, General Manager, the Maids Head Hotel said: “Winning Best Food & Drink Attraction at the VisitNorfolk.co.uk Tourism Awards is a great encouragement for the team at the Maids Head. Our aim is to achieve a second AA Rosette for the restaurant and to continue developing the menu with a series of signature English dishes. We will be working closely with the Norfolk Food Festival in 2014, and our historic Maids Head bar will be part of the Norwich City of Ale celebrations in May.”

The Maids Head Hotel is situated close to Norwich Cathedral on the edge of what used to be the Saxon market place. The hotel claims to be the oldest in Britain based on the site being used continuously for hospitality since the early 12th century, when the Norman Bishops built their first palace there.